Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758 (American pike)Pike spawn from the end of March to the beginning of May, usually in quite shallow water and often using the same places year after year. The spawning process can last several weeks and the number of eggs varies with the a...Read MorePike spawn from the end of March to the beginning of May, usually in quite shallow water and often using the same places year after year. The spawning process can last several weeks and the number of eggs varies with the age and size of the female. A large fish may produce as many as half a million eggs. The eggs are sticky and adhere to plants, the young pike hatching after 10 – 15 days. At this stage they have no proper mouthparts and remain attached to the plants until the yoke sac is consumed. Once the young fish become free-swimming, they feed mainly on small organisms, but once they reach a length of 5 cm, they begin preying on other fish larvae and tadpoles. Once they have survived these early stages, pike grow fast, sometimes reaching a weight of one kilogram in the space of three years. Males mature at the age of two, females at four years. Pike catch their food largely by stealth and lightning-fast acceleration, taking their prey unawares. A large adult pike will eat roach, rudd, dace and perch, trout and salmon, and even other members of their own species. They will also take frogs, newts, crayfish and they have been known to catch ducklings and small mammals.

Syngnathus rostellatus Nilsson, 1855 (Nilsson's pipefish)Often found on sandy shores among floating or attached seaweeds . Ovoviviparous . The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail . Spawns in summer. Young are sometimes caught pelagically in the North Sea .Often found on sandy shores among floating or attached seaweeds . Ovoviviparous . The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail . Spawns in summer. Young are sometimes caught pelagically in the North Sea .

Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758 (European perch)Perch live in schools, often mixing with other species of fish, usually in the top 50 metres of water. Spawning takes place in April, the very sticky eggs being produced in bands. Females twine these bands around submerged...Read MorePerch live in schools, often mixing with other species of fish, usually in the top 50 metres of water. Spawning takes place in April, the very sticky eggs being produced in bands. Females twine these bands around submerged vegetation or among rocks while the males follow her and fertilise the eggs. The young fish hatch after about three weeks and remain amongst the egg bands until the yoke sac is exhausted. They then venture into more open water and feed on planktonic animals. As they grow they begin to shoal together close to the bank. Males mature when they reach the length of 7 – 8 cm, females when they are 10 cm.

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